I went to a writing workshop for ESL teachers a few years ago and they had a template similar to this - I love it! Everybody's come out different and beautiful (and it makes everybody so interesting!. I completely forgot about it, but now I want to write my own. Mind if I borrow your idea?

Hard to share our beginnings, because they are what formed us. But, that doesn't mean that they define who we are today. While I'd love to hear your stories, Dweej, what I appreciate the most is YOU, as you are TODAY. Proud of you.

Oh Dwija, I feel so much emotion reading this. You're tossing out tantalizing hints, peaking our curiosity, and stirring up emotions! We'd love to hear the whole story! Like the others, I too find you and your life fascinating. You seriously could, I mean *should*, as in *gotta* write a book! Everyone loves an inspiring life transformational story. And I'm particularly curious. From what I can tell, it seems that I grew up as you did, but I can only guess that your experience of our "shared" childhood may have been worlds apart from mine. And the most curious thing to me is that though I'm still wearing the saris and bangles and getting up at 4 something am (though my husband and daughter have their very own wake-up times... LoL :D), your present life, the day to day experiences that you share here, your joys, your hopes, your prayers really resonate with me. I feel that we aren't really very different. Perhaps we are the same in that we both chose to quit the "escape from the world/don't love too much"(cultish?) mentality to embrace a love for God in a family/community-oriented way. In other words, though our lifestyles and choices may appear drastically different, are they really? I'm dying to know how your past brought you to where you are today. I can't imagine that it's an easy story to tell though. And I don't blame you for dangling tantalizing tidbits. :o) Keep peaking our curiousity and maybe you'll catch the attention of a curious publisher who's as fascinated as we are and will cut a book deal for ya!

I love the photo. Maybe I was with you when it was taken? The sari and the horse aren't so compatible. But I love your smile. And still do... Hugs <3 <3 <3

mnYou know, the most interesting part of this to me is that the "escape" at the end refers to a whole slew of things and stories and tendencies and ways that things came about. And mostly not at all about my faith conversion. Interesting!

Dweej, this is brilliant. I loved this glimpse into your past, into where you're from and what made you so marvelous. Your story from the very beginning is such a compelling one. I just love reading more and more about you.

Hey D...I remember you back in HS and you were so awesome (the true definition) and kind and freakin smart (duh, it was english class, of course you would be brilliant). Ah, somethings never change. :O) All those experiences made you who you are today. ~ LD